Journal of Clinical Toxicology
Open Access

Abstract

Magnitude of Acute Poisoning and Associated Factors in Debretabor General Hospital, Ethiopia

Yichalal Endayehu, Ermias Shenkutie

Background Poisoning is an important health problem in developing countries. Poisons are commonly used as self-harming and suicidal agents in agricultural societies. Pesticides are most commonly used substances in our community.
Objective: To describe the magnitude and treatment outcome of patients presenting with poisoning to Debretabor general hospital emergency department in a 3 years’ period from September 2013 to August 2016.
Methods:
Design: It is a retrospective cross sectional hospital based study of 3 years period at Debretabor general hospital, North West Ethiopia.
All patients who presented with emergency conditions to DTH between September 2013 and August 2016 were included in the study.
Data collection and analysis: Data was collected using a data extraction form from the case records. All data were analyzed using SPSS 20. Chi-squared was utilized where appropriate and a p-value of less than
0.05 was considered statistically significant
Result. There were 102 patients presenting as acute poisoning which accounts 0.45% of all emergency cases. Among these 65 (63.7%) were females and 37(36.3%) were males. The most common age was found to be 15-40 yrs which account about 73.5 %( 75 cases). Rodentcide (Rat poison) was the most frequent cause of poisoning and accounted for 58 cases (56.9%). The mortality rate is 18.6% (19 cases)
Conclusion. Death due to poisoning is significant in this study. The most common reason for poisoning was suicidal attempt. There should be standard management protocol of poisoning in both hospitals and primary health care unit.